赔 péi to compensate
to compensate; to compensate for loss
How to remember 赔: 贝 sea shell + 咅 spit = to compensate. The toddler grabs his sister's sea shell and starts to spit on it, so dad buys her an ice cream to compensate.
Component breakdown
赔 = 贝 sea shell + 咅 spit
- 贝 sea shell
- 咅 spit
The toddler grabs his sister's sea shell and starts to spit on it, so dad buys her an ice cream to compensate.
How it is used
- To compensate for damage, or to lose money. 赔偿 (péicháng) to compensate - 赔偿损失 (péicháng sǔnshī) compensate for losses.
- Colloquially 赔 alone = to lose money in business: 这笔生意赔了 (zhè bǐ shēngyì péi le) this deal lost money - opposite of 赚 (zhuàn) to earn, 赚钱 (zhuànqián) make money.
- 索赔 (suǒpéi) = to claim compensation. Also 赔不是 (péi búshi) / 赔礼 to apologize, 'make it up' to someone.